Meet the Newly Illumined: Sarah Coker

Sarah was welcomed into the Orthodox Church through the Sacrament of Chrismation on Sunday, March 24, and was given the baptismal name of Mary. In this short interview, we are illuminating Sarah’s journey to Orthodoxy, and a little bit about her that our readers might not know.

What brought you to Orthodoxy and the Resurrection parish?
When the pandemic happened, my Pentecostal church was meeting online for a period of time, while the same thing was happening at work. I started searching for a Christian podcast and found The Bible Answer Man broadcast. The host, Hank Hannegraaff, talked about the Bible and God in a beautiful way and patiently answered people’s questions. He also mentioned at times that he was Eastern Orthodox, and I didn’t really know what that was. I was especially intrigued by the way he talked about the Eucharist, and how divinely important it was to have the real body and blood of Jesus. He also talked about how Orthodoxy was the historic Christian Faith, along with the Holy Traditions, and some background.

I became really interested but was unable to attend an Orthodox church right away because I was working on Sundays with people with disabilities at my church; however, I googled “Orthodox Church near me” (I was living in Emeryville) and found a Russian Orthodox church in Berkeley. I called and made an appointment with the priest and spoke to him a couple of times. I visited for things like vesper services or other events that were not held on Sunday mornings. I found the church strange but reverent and interesting, and I had this persistent longing to know more. When I moved to San Leandro, I again googled “Orthodox Church near me” and I found Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church.

I did the same things again, such as attending services that were not on Sunday mornings, and Bible study. I felt so strongly in my heart that God was calling me to
become Orthodox. Eventually, someone else was able to step in and take over the ministry for people with disabilities at my previous church, and I was now able to attend an Orthodox church on Sundays, so I began coming to Resurrection. People were very welcoming and I just felt I had found what I was looking for.

Who/what inspired you to get involved in the parish?  
I was in choir many years ago. I became interested in joining the choir at Resurrection, once I realized they needed an Alto singer. Also, I wanted to get more
involved and give back, so I joined a coffee hour team, and I sometimes help at the food pantry.

Do you have a favorite Saint?
Yes, the Mother of God (Theotokos) Mary because she is steadfast and faithful to the end in a world full of prodigals and wanderers like me. I also like Saint Mary Magdalene and Saint Nicholas. What I like about Saint Mary is that she displayed love and courage by standing by Jesus’s side while he died on the cross, and journeying with the disciples to help spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love Saint Nicholas because of his generosity helping children, poor people, and families (with dowries and more) to help protect them from dire consequences.‍

‍What’s your favorite bible verse or quote?
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs...” - 1 Corinthians 13 (the whole chapter)

‍On a Personal Note
I am a mother of a 27-year-old young man and a grandmother of a four-year-old boy, a teacher, I love to sing, write, and explore the outdoors. I love getting to know  
new people and doing fun things together and learning more about God and how to love God.

I also like to walk at the beach, Lake Chabot, and forests. I read, write, draw, spend time with friends and family, swim, and take my dogs to the dog park. I go fun places
like the Aquarium, Marine World, science museums (with my grandson or friends/ family with their kids also).

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I’m not sure! Maybe that I can speak Spanish and Portuguese and I know some ASL (American Sign Language). Also, I would love to learn Greek (New Testament Greek), and I am planning to begin this process somehow, not sure how/where yet.